First Minister's visit to London on 14th October 2025: FOI release

Information requested

All minutes/notes from meetings from John Swinney's visit to London on October 14, including all briefings written for this visit, as well as his itinerary for the trip

Response

I enclose a copy of most of the information you requested.

Several exemptions apply to the information you have requested:

Exemptions under Section 38(1)(b), Section 28, Section 30 and Section 33(1)(b) apply to some of the information you have requested. A summary of these exemptions and an explanation of why they apply is included at Annex A to this letter.

Annex A

Section 38(1)(b) applies to some of the information you requested. Information is exempt from disclosure if it is the personal data of a third party, such as the personal data of civil servants below Senior Civil Service grades. This exemption is not subject to the 'public interest test', so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.

Section 28 applies to some of the information you requested. This exempts information from disclosure where disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially relations between administrations in the UK (e.g. between Westminster and Holyrood). We have used this exemption to redact an event briefing provided by the UK Government to the Scottish Government under the assumption this would remain private. This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is some public interest in release. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in Scottish Government officials maintaining positive working relationships with their UK Government counterparts.

Section 30(b)(i) applies to some of the information you requested. This exempts information if disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially: (i) the free and frank provision of advice (section 30(b)(i)) or (ii) the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation (section 30(b)(ii)). We have used this exemption as some information relates to advice given by civil servants to ministers regarding how we approach relationships with investors based on information from multiple sources including direct investor feedback provided in confidence, which if released could negatively impact important relationships and prejudice future advice. This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is some public interest in release. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in the Scottish Government maintaining good relationships with potential investors including candid discussion, and officials continuing to provide full and frank advice to maximise the impact of strategic engagement.

Section 33(1)(b) applies to some of the information you have requested. This exempts information where disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially the commercial interests of any person. “Person” includes a public authority, company and partnership. We have used this exemption as some information relates to opportunities and partners that investors are actively engaging with and releasing this information could prejudice commercial interests. This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is some public interest in release. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in the Scottish Government and the Scottish National Investment Bank being able to conduct discussions with potential investors with a reasonable expectation of privacy.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202500482366 - Information released - Annex

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